For the purpose of this blog entry, I just want to give out a challenge: check out the Bible itself. Many, many critics of the Bible haven't even read it. Many believers in Jesus haven't read it either, therefore the "debate" is just a mutual exchange of ignorance and turns into a massive waste of time for everyone involved.

I just want to challenge each one to let the Bible speak for itself. The best thing to do is to just read it. Here's a challenge: read 100 chapters of the Bible in 100 days, one chapter per day. Here are some suggestions on what you could read:

Read Genesis and Exodus, the first 2 books of the Bible. These books introduce us to God and to the beginning of his plan. We also gain quite a bit of understanding into the human condition. There are 90 chapters in this set.

Try reading the Psalms, one psalm per day. There happen to be 150 psalms in the collection, so if you are satisfied with the first 100 you are doing well anyway. You'll probably want to continue.

Try reading the "Gospels", the first four books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. There are 89 chapters in this collection, but you will get a complete introduction to the person, life and teachings of Jesus, the central character of the Bible.

For a straight up 100 chapters in a row, read from the book of Romans right through the book of Hebrews. 100 chapters. You'll learn about life, God, sin, integrity, hope for the future and hope for today. You'll also see how the entire Bible is tied together and where Jesus really is the centre.

Some ask me, "What version of the BIble should I read?" While for some this is a burning issue and debate, I am not so locked into any one version of the Bible. If you want a taste of several different versions, in several different languages, check out Bible Gateway on the web.

I personally use the NIV 1984, NIV 2012 and the King James Version for my personal and professional studies. On my iPad and iPhone I have loaded up Tecarta and on my work computer I use the study tools from the Online Bible. As a plug for the Online Bible, it is free for download. You get some great tools with it for free as well. There are add-on modules to increase your study library that are at a very reasonable cost.

The important thing is that we get into the Bible. It will change our lives and help us become the people that God has designed us to really be. Don't just read it, though...do it!

2 Timothy 3:16 & 17: All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

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